write a short interview of an enminent of social worker
Answers
Answer:
Why have you selected a career in social work?
How is your previous experience applicable to the work we do here?
Have you had the experience of working with people of a race or sexual orientation different from yours? (be able to articulate how culture impacts our work re: abuse/neglect/prevention/ intervention etc.)
What do you hope to accomplish as a social worker?
What do you judge to be your major successes or accomplishments in your fieldwork? How did you achieve these?
What major disappointments/failures have you had in fieldwork? Or
Knowing what you know now, is there something you would do differently in the management of one of your fieldwork cases?
Assessment of Skills/Technique
Are you sensitive? Are you intuitive?
Are you an active listener? Are you able to engage clients?
How do you describe your personal boundaries?
What kinds of things go into a psychological assessment?
Do you believe in short term or long-term treatment?
How do you handle termination?
Think of a client you have liked/disliked and tell me how you dealt with the counter transference issues.
Personality/Working Style/Other
This position requires a lot of independent thinking and initiative. There is minimal supervision. Could you handle that?
Would you rather draw up plans and design a program or be responsible for implementing a program? Why?
How would your weaknesses interfere with your ability to do this job?
What kinds of problems do you like to handle? Can you give me an example.
What do you think is going to happen in the field in the next five years?
Are you a member of any professional organizations?
Answer:
1. ‘What made you go into social work?’
Employers want to hear more than just ‘I have a desire to help others’. Most importantly, refrain from saying it’s because you graduated in this field. Instead, reveal your commitment to the job and how much you believe social work is essential to society. Perhaps bring up a personal story and explain what led you to choose this profession. Sample answer: ‘I want to make a difference in the lives of maltreated children. I see and hear about the challenges they face every day in abusive/unhealthy households, and I want to be the one to improve this situation. Being a child protection social worker can help me help them find the right direction in life. I thrive to not only help but also empower, motivate and advocate for this target group.’
2. ‘Why have you chosen this specific field of social work?’
Social work is a vast field. There are those who prefer to work with children, others with substance abusers or clients with mental health problems. Whatever your preference is, make it clear in the interview and explain why you’re interested in this particular field.
Aim to use a compassionate tone and, if relevant, try to speak from personal experience. Sample answer: ‘I believe that my place is with alcoholics. I grew up dealing with a family member fighting against alcohol abuse, and now that I am old enough, I believe it is the right time for me to make a change in these people’s lives. Seeing it first-hand has taught me how these fighters think and what they need, and I want to be the one to give them just that.’
3. ‘Can you tell us your strengths and weaknesses as a social worker?’
This question comes up in almost every interview, irrespective of the role you’re applying for. If you’re unsure of the answer, ask a friend, family member or previous colleague to help you out. You want to leave the best possible impression on your interviewer, even if it does mean highlighting your weaknesses. As long as you mention that you strive to overcome them, you’ll be on the right track. Sample answer: ‘I believe I have great communication skills. In fact, I’ve been told I’m quite a people-person. I can remain calm in conflict situations and find the right solutions in times of crisis, and I find that I am extremely responsible. I would say that my weakness is perhaps being too honest, although this is a trait I am working to improve.’
4. ‘How do you balance your work and personal life?’
Balancing between work and your personal life as a social worker can be tough. It’s difficult to not bring the case home or get that phone call from a client during your Sunday roast. The goal of this difficult question (which will most certainly arise) is to see if you can handle work interfering with your personal life, or perhaps to detect whether you’ll be willing to do some overtime. Sample answer: ‘I’m a rather organised person, and I’m able to separate between work and home. I have a [partner/family member/friend] to take care of any necessities at home, so if my job demands that I do overtime or work on the weekends, that’s fine. I’m willing to give this job 100% because it’s something I’m extremely passionate about.’
5. ‘Would you be prepared to make home visits?’
Visiting clients in their homes is a critical part of a social worker’s role. This can sometimes be a risky or emotionally challenging situation, and the interviewer will want to see if you’re prepared for it.
Answering this question with a ‘yes’ is obviously the right way to go, but make sure to also express confidence. Sample answer: ‘I am absolutely ready and mentally prepared for home visits. I’m aware that these situations can be challenging, but I have enough experience/confidence to do it. In the case of an uncomfortable circumstance, I know to remain calm and seek help if need be. Either way, home visits are the best way to get to know a client outside of the office.’
6. ‘In your experience, what kind of clients are the most difficult to work with?’
This is where your interviewer will try to identify your stress levels and how well you can deal with difficult clients, whether they are adults or children. A basic interview tip, in this case, is to avoid answering this question with negativity. Put the positive in dealing with a difficult client and, most importantly, avoid blaming them for their hostility. Sample answer: ‘I certainly find it hard working with uncooperative, angry clients, although I never give up in motivating them. In a difficult situation, I always focus on the good, and I put myself in the client’s shoes. I understand that the angriest clients are those who have no hope or who feel betrayed on a constant basis. When faced with an uncooperative or angry client, I try to approach them in various ways to see and learn what method works best